Historic Royal Palaces to mark the 200th anniversary of Queen Victoria’s birth with major new exhibition at Kensington Palace

On 24 May 1819, the future Queen Victoria was born at Kensington Palace. To mark the bicentenary of this event, Historic Royal Palaces has announced a major new exhibition at Kensington Palace in 2019.

The suite of rooms occupied by the future Queen and her mother will be reimagined through a display of remarkable objects relating to her early years, including a scrapbook of mementoes created by Victoria’s governess Baroness Lehzen, which will go on display for the first time.

Several items of Victoria’s wardrobe will go on display, including a pair of silver boots that were recently acquired by Historic Royal Palaces with the support from Art Fund.

Polly Putnam, the exhibition curator at Historic Royal Palaces, said, ‘Although considered one of the most famous women in history, Queen Victoria’s personality, passions and politics remain little known. To mark the 200th anniversary of her birth at Kensington Palace, in 2019 we’ll be re-examining the life of this fascinating and contradictory monarch, whose cultural legacy and impact on world affairs are still felt to this day.’

Both the exhibition and newly presented young Victoria route will be included in standard admission to Kensington Palace, and free for Historic Royal Palaces and National Art Pass members.